Sunday, May 31, 2009

May 31

I love this story and thought the anniversary was a good day to share it here.

It is said that on this day in 1678, Lady Godiva, a local noblewoman, stripped naked and rode her horse through the town of Coventry in England to protest her husbands harsh taxes on the people working his land. Artist: John Collier. 1897

He supposedly initiated the naked ride when, tired at her repeated requests, he told if she would ride through town naked he would review the taxes.

The story follows that Lady Godiva asked all of the towns residents to stay indoors and to shutter their windows while she made her ride and all obeyed except for one young man named Tom who peeped through the crack in the shutters when she rode past. He creating the Peeping Tom of today.

According to the fable Lord Godiva was true to his word and reduced the taxes on the villagers making life much easier for them.

A woman of strength and courage. I aspire to that strength and fortitude, though without the public nudity.

I remember hearing this story from a teacher when I was about 9-10 years old. She made a point of saying that Lady Godiva was thought to have beautiful long red hair, was envied and loved. And she gave me a wink.I am not sure if she ever realised the AMAZING feeling of pride she gave a little girl who had been mercilessly teased about being a ginger.